Decatur Pilots UNICEF Child-Friendly City Initiative

DECATUR, GA — Decatur is now one of five cities and one county to pilot an initiative to focus on prioritizing the city's youth, in partnership with United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

The city of Decatur is beginning the two-year process to earn recognition as a UNICEF Child-Friendly City (CFC), officials said in a Thursday press release. Through UNICEF's Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, cities across the country commit to improve the lives of children by ensuring the needs of children are prioritized in public policies, programs and decisions.

The cities of Houston, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Johnson City and Prince George's County are the other municipalities participating in the initiative.

“We are truly excited to enter this partnership and initiative with UNICEF USA,” Decatur Mayor Pro Tem Tony Powers said in the release. “Our children and youth need our support more than ever as we attempt to return to normalcy after a year that left us sheltered and, in many cases, separated from friends and family.

"The Child Friendly Initiative will put our most vulnerable population at the table where we can be sure to prioritize their needs through a lens of equity and inclusion and social justice.”

City Schools of Decatur, Decatur Education Foundation and Decatur Housing Authority — in addition to the city of Decatur — will identify objectives under five goal areas focusing on supporting children and young people: safety and inclusion; children's participation; equitable social services; safe living environments; and play and leisure.

“DEF’s mission has always put Decatur's kids at the center of our work, and we share UNICEF USA’s vision of a more equitable world for every child," said Gail Rothman, executive directorof the Decatur Education Foundation, in the release. "Decatur is well-positioned to really embrace this effort, and we look forward to working with the city and community partners on this exciting endeavor.”

Government officials and community leaders in Decatur, as well as the other participating municipalities, will conduct a situational analysis of child well-being in each city.

Based on the findings, the communities will implement an action plan that prioritizes the best interests of children and youth within their local policies, the release said. Since the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative's inception in 1996, more than 3,000 municipalities in 56 countries have adopted the CFCI.

“As a resident of Decatur, I am proud of our city’s commitment toward recognition as a UNICEF Child Friendly City,” said Jeremy Cole, managing director of the southeast region at UNICEF USA, in the release. “In partnership with the city of Decatur, we are dedicated to ensuring that every child has the right to grow up in a safe and secure environment where their voices are heard.”

For more information or to share ideas, residents can email childfriendlydecatur@gmail.com.